‘Energy revolution’ to rid Nepal from power crisis: Environment minister

Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Ganesh Shah has said that the country needs to witness, as what he termed, an “energy revolution” to see the development of alternative energy sector.

Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Ganesh Shah (File Photo)

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 3-day Alternative Energy exhibition that kicked off in Bhrikutimandap Exhibition Hall in the capital city Friday, Minister Shah said that the development and promotion of alternative energy for a country like Nepal which is facing severe power crisis is crucial and for this the government is ready to come up with appropriate plans and policies and supporting activities.

The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology has expected that the fair could prove instrumental in mitigating the severe energy crisis the country is facing currently.

Blaming lack of enough rain during the winter season and hydropower plants in disrepair's, the government has been imposing daily power cuts – called load-shedding – of up to 14 hours a day from the past few months.

Minister Shah admitted that the responsibility of giving an “alternative solution” to the acute power crisis the country is facing right now has come on the shoulders of his ministry. He also called on all to be a part of this “energy revolution” and said that the government, without any political bias, will encourage the development of alternative energy sector.

He also said there is need to form a network of organizations working in the field of alternative energy generation.

As the government has declared the year 2065 BS as an Alternative Energy Year, the exhibition aims to promote the alternative and renewal energy. The three-day exhibition is expected to be visited by around 15,000 to 20,000 people.

According to experts participating in the exhibition, wind, biomass, geo-thermal and solar are viable sources of alternative energy from which Nepal can reap benefit.

The government in this fiscal year has promised to generate 20 MW from wind energy alone. nepalnews.com Feb 13 09